(57) The present invention provides laser apparatus (10) having a cavity (24) which is
at least partially bounded by two facing surfaces (16, 18) which are closely spaced
and characterised by electrode means (36, 38) for establishing an electric field and
an electric discharge (58) within the cavity (24) the orientation of the electricfield
being substantially parallel to the facing surfaces (16, 18), and means (26, 28) for
establishing a magnetic field within the cavity (24) with at least a major vector
component substantially perpendicular to the facing surfaces (16, 18), the arrangement
being such that in operation the electric discharge (58) extends between the said
surfaces (16, 18) for a distance substantially greater than the separation of the
said surfaces (16, 18). The invention also privides a method of producing a substantially uniform broad area
electric discharge including:
providing a gas filled cavity (24) between two relatively closely spaced surfaces
(16, 18) and characterised by;
providing a magnetic field in a direction substantially orthogonal to said surfaces
(16, 18); and
providing at least one electrical discharge (58) within said gas filled cavity (24)
oriented with the electric field gradient thereof substantially parallel to said surfaces
(16, 18) for enabling the action of said magnetic field to spread said discharge (58)
substantially uniformly over a distance substantial greater than the separation of
the said surface (16, 18).
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